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Weather & Climate in Crab Orchard, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Crab Orchard enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 53.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 941 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.3°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 941 ft (287 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 435/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4623°N, 84.5070°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 69.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 134 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 116 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 136 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 122 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 74 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 147 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 104 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 84 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 89 km | 1 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 142 km | 13 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 116 km | 12 km |
| May 20, 2023 | Kentucky-Tennessee border region | M2.8 | 138 km | 17 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 66 km | 34 km |
| Mar 8, 2015 | 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.8 | 95 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 122 km | 34 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 34 km | 30 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 119 km | 13 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 89 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
301 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,077 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 96 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 29 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 82 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 89 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 90 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 66 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 82 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 93 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 21 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 69 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 90 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 78 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 49 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 59 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 80 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 80 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 37 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 53 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1970 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (11,817 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 84 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 68 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 84 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 80 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 98 km |
| 1987 | LOCUST GAP | 6,014 | 84 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,426 | 67 km |
| 1991 | OTTER | 4,923 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,400 | 96 km |
| 1999 | GROUNDHOG | 4,258 | 86 km |
| 2000 | THOUSAND STICKS | 4,214 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 97 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,940 | 77 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,571 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,401 | 99 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,258 | 66 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,123 | 89 km |
| 2016 | JETTS CREEK FIRE | 3,021 | 83 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,874 | 80 km |
| 2016 | EAGLES NEST | 2,857 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 in |
Crab Orchard has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 37°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.1").